Of all white collar crimes, Money Laundering is among the most serious. If you have been charged with Money Laundering in Arizona, you need a highly skilled White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyer on your side. Your Criminal Defense Attorney should be one who is an expert in defense against these types of charges and he or she should have a record of success for past Money Laundering defense clients. Your freedom is on the line, because this specific charge is a felony that will potentially involve a lengthy prison sentence if you are convicted.
DM Cantor is a listed law firm in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers®, Criminal Law Section and is AV® rated.
Charges and Sentencing under Money Laundering in Arizona
Below are the primary forms of Money Laundering charges in Arizona and sentences associated with each:
First Degree Money Laundering
A class 2 felony, First Degree Money Laundering is a charge of a person knowingly initiating, organizing, planning, financing, directing, managing, supervising or being in the business of Money Laundering. This may also be the charge if the individual conducted an operation of Money Laundering in the Second Degree, with that Money Laundering taking place in the course or for the purpose of facilitating Murder or Terrorism.
Sentences for First Degree Money Laundering may include:
- First Offense – Up to 12.5 years in prison
- Second Offense – Between 4.5 years and 23.25 years in prison
- Third Offense – Between 10.5 years and 35 years in prison
Second Degree Money Laundering
A class 3 felony, Second Degree Money Laundering involves an individual acquiring or maintaining an interest in, transactions, transfers, transportation, receipt or concealment of the existence or nature of Racketeering proceeds, knowing or having reason to know that they are proceeds of that offense.
You may be charged with Money Laundering in the Second Degree if:
- You make this property available through transaction with another party
- You conduct a transaction knowing that property or properties involved are the proceeds of an offense
- You intentionally or knowingly make false statements or misrepresentation of, or admit material entry in any application or financial statement or account records
- You intentionally or knowingly attempt to evade any reporting requirement under the Code of Federal Regulations
- You intentionally or knowingly provide false information or fail to disclose information that causes any other licensee or business to file a report on their behalf
- You intentionally or knowingly falsify or attempt to conceal the identity of a person in connection with a transaction
- You utilize a forged instrument in connection with the money laundering
- You are involved in a money transmitting business and knowingly accept false personal identification
- You conduct a money transmitting business with the proper licensing under Title 6, Chapter 12
Sentencing for Second Degree Money Laundering may include:
- First Offense – Up to 8.75 years in prison
- Second Offense – Between 3.5 years and 16.25 years in prison
- Third Offense – Between 7.5 years and 25 years in prison
For First and Second Degree Money Laundering involving violations of $100,000 or more in a 12 month period, you are subject to forfeiture of substitute assets equivalent to three (3) times the amount involved in your pattern of conduct. This includes conduct occurring before, during and after the 12 month period.
Third Degree Money Laundering
A class 6 felony, Third Degree Money Laundering involves conferring anything of value to the money transmitter or an employee of the money transmitter, that is intended to influence or reward that person for failing to comply with the requirements under Arizona Revised Statute Title 6, Chapter 12; or the employee of a money transmitting business allows themselves to receive something of value in exchange for failing to comply with any requirement of Arizona Revised Statute ARS Title 6, Chapter 12.
Sentencing for Third Degree Money Laundering may include:
- First Offense – Up to two years in prison
- Second Offense – Between nine months and 2.75 years in prison
- Third Offense – Between 2.25 years and 5.75 years in prison
Your Defense against Money Laundering Charges
If you have been accused of Money Laundering, you need aggressive defense counsel. The Criminal Trial Lawyers at DM Cantor have a stronger knowledge of Money Laundering defense than even the prosecutors and law enforcement officers. The DM Cantor White Collar Defense team will be highly proactive in defending you against Money Laundering charges.
Some of the defenses against Money Laundering that DM Cantor may use include:
- Absence of Intent
- Absence of Knowledge
- Violation of Miranda Rights
- Denial of Right to Counsel
Because a guilty verdict in a Money Laundering trial could take away your freedom and lead to a lifetime of other consequences, you need the proactive White Collar Criminal Defense of DM Cantor. Think about how much you value your freedom, future and family, then call The DM Cantor at 602-307-0808 or Contact Us Today For a Free Case Consultation.